Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

I primarily work in the offices at National Nuclear Laboratory, day-to-day work can vary from completing safety documentation to arranging site visits, purely dependent on the type of project you are working on at the time. Some projects require a visit to the onsite labs which allows for you to actually see the projects you are working on at the time. I have one day a week allocated with my training provider which is where I sit in lectures and complete assignment for my degree.

Since being an apprentice at National Nuclear Laboratory I have developed a number of skills, with my communication skills being improved the greatest. I have confidence in reaching out to colleagues with questions and contacting outside companies to arrange visits and meetings. New skills I have acquired would be IT skills, in creating technical documents and presentations for the organisation as well as my time management between placements onsite and completing my degree.

I enjoy my apprenticeship programme, especially with the excitement and attention to and around the nuclear industry within the UK. I enjoy the balance of working in the industry alongside the studying for my degree as I can understand the link between the theory and actually putting it into practice.

There is good organisation of the apprenticeship as well as a clear structure of the 5 years ahead when starting. The first year of the apprenticeship is completed with the training provider which was a more practical and hands on course, giving me an appreciation and understanding of engineering as a whole. The 2nd and 3rd year consist of shorter rotational placements around the different teams within NNL, with the 4th year being two 6 month placements and the final year being completed in one team that would be where you will continue one the apprenticeship is completed.

NNL supports apprentices in a number of ways, with the help of the early careers advisors who check in and support both apprentices and graduates that have been welcomed into the business. Line managers stay in close contact with apprentices as well as keeping in contact with the early careers advisors to ensure things are running smoothly and everyone is supported on the journey.

Blackpool and the Fylde college offer lots of support from the tutors guiding us with assignments and giving feedback, the apprenticeship programme manager also keeps in close contact with scheduling a review every 12 weeks to allow for discussions on the progress the apprentices has made since the last review, what previous targets have been met and what new targets can be set in order to develop our skills and progress throughout the apprenticeship.

The nuclear engineering degree qualification gives me a increasingly in depth understanding of the nuclear industry both nationally and internationally, as well as a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the general engineering industry to understand 'how stuff works' and why things work that way. Being able to apply this knowledge of both the nuclear industry and engineering principles to my day to day job role has allowed for me to learn significantly more in a shorter amount of time.

There are a number of opportunities to get involved with extra-curricular actives through NNL. The company pushes for apprentices and graduates to become STEM ambassadors and to take part in activities that will contribute to this. Early careers offer a number of opportunities that you can volunteer to help out with such as career fairs, company advertisements and work experience workshops. Other activities are also organised by NNL employees in order to raise money for charity such as group hikes and baking competitions.

Yes

National Nuclear Laboratory recognizes that the people are the most important part and valuable assets of the business therefore looks after them, by offering a number of employee benefits. The company as a whole does incredibly interesting work in order to contribute the progression of the nuclear industry in the forms of nuclear medicine and clean energy to name a couple.

When applying to National Nuclear Laboratory whether it be an apprenticeship or another job role just be yourself. Show your passion and interest in the nuclear industry and do some research about the company, look into the vision of the company as well as their purpose and values to ensure they line up with your own values.